ENTRIES EXTENDED CLOSING 16 OCTOBER 2019

41ST TOYOTA STAR MAKER

ENTRY HAS BEEN EXTENDED TWO WEEKS FOR ENTRY INTO THE 41ST TOYOTA STAR MAKER – AUSTRALIA’S LONGEST RUNNING SEARCH FOR A NEW COUNTRY MUSIC STAR WILL CLOSE.

Entry will close on 16 October 2019 and anyone interested should take the opportunity now.

Star Maker has been a crucial launching pad for some of Australia’s biggest country music stars including Lee Kernaghan, Brad Cox, James Blundell, Beccy Cole, Travis Collins, Kylie Sackley, Sam McClymont, Darren Coggan, Lyn Bowtell, Kirsty Lee Akers, Kaylee Bell, Blake O’Connor and the biggest of them all Keith Urban.

Australia’s Star Maker platform sets out to find a new country music star and all the aforementioned winners are leading the way with strong careers internationally and locally.

In 2020, competition will be as tough as ever with former winners setting strong examples of what is possible when committed to a career in the country music industry.

“Toyota Star Maker has a responsibility to deliver a new winner who is not only the ‘next big thing’ but who also becomes an automatic ambassador for the Australian country music industry,” said coordinator Cheryl Brown.

We want someone who is already making a considerable impact in country music, who has the country music x-factor, is driven and articulate, motivated and talented and someone who lives country music.

Brad Cox, the 2018 winner is a perfect example of this, having signed with Mirror Music Group under the management of Kurt Bailey and inked an exclusive worldwide recording deal with Sony Music Entertainment Australia in August, just 18 months after winning Star Maker.

Brad received two Golden Guitar nominations for his debut self-titled album at this year’s awards (Contemporary Album of the Year and New Talent of the Year). During his Star Maker year, he supported US artists Randy Houser, Jon Pardi, Brett Eldridge, as well as Australian superstar Lee Kernaghan, toured with Adam Eckersley and Brooke McClymont, sold out his own shows, and played everything from caravan parks to pubs, clubs and major festivals including CMC Rocks Festival and the Gympie Music Muster. To date, Brad in his own right has amassed over 3.5 million combined global streams.

This year’s winner Blake O’Connor has taken advantage of every moment of his reign performing at festivals, touring with The McClymonts and creating his own opportunities.

Former winners Beccy Cole and Travis Collins are the current CMAA Female and Male Artist of the Year.

Judging takes place in the first week of November with finalists announced in December.

The Toyota Star Maker Grand Final will be held in Tamworth as a part of the Toyota Country Music Festival and is the main event on the first Sunday, 19 January 2020.

The prize package includes:

• Use of the title 2020 Toyota Star Maker;
• 12 months use of a brand new, fully-serviced Toyota motor vehicle;
• A fuel card for the length of reign;
• Return air flight including 4-nights accommodation for one to Nashville for the CMA Festival in June 2020 courtesy of Chris Watson Travel.
• Photographic portfolio with Andrew Pearson Photography Tamworth;
• A Maton acoustic guitar;
• Fender products;
• Shure products from Jands Australia;
• A recording session with Australia’s top musicians and producer;
• Recording, distribution and promotion of a four-track EP;
• Production of three professional video clips by an award-winning director;
• 12 months media promotion in Australia’s only monthly country music magazine Country Music Capital News;
• Full colour promotional material including posters, a pull-up and more;
• Direct and personal introductions to industry based on the organisers 38 years history;
• Guidance and support by HSF Artist Services;
• Media promotion including radio, print and television;
• Hair and make-up styling by Plush Hair Designs & Make-up of Tamworth for photographic portfolio;
• A designated list of events for Toyota
• Guaranteed paid performances at a designated list of festivals and events.
• A guaranteed paid performance on 2020 Cruisin’ Country;
• A guaranteed paid performance with Tamworth’s Wests Entertainment Group;
• A guaranteed performance with The Pub Group;

Toyota Star Maker is organised and promoted by Tamworth Regional Council, publishers of Country Music Capital News and the Official Guide To The Tamworth Country Music Festival.